Assembling Wedding Invites: Tying Ribbons, A Step-By-Step Guide

Assembling wedding invitations can be a daunting task, but with a few simple steps, you can create elegant invites that will impress your guests. The process involves gathering the necessary pieces, including the invitation card, reception card, enclosure cards, and RSVP card with envelope. You will also need ribbons, wax seals, or belly bands for embellishment. The traditional way of stacking enclosures is with the RSVP card under the flap of its envelope, followed by stacking the remaining enclosures face-up in order of size, with the largest piece on the bottom. The invitation and enclosures are then placed inside the envelope, ensuring the text faces the envelope flap. Finally, seal the envelope using an envelope moistener or a wax seal. By following these steps, you can create beautifully assembled wedding invitations that set the tone for your special day.

Order of assembly

The order of assembly for wedding invitations with ribbon is as follows:

• Start with the invitation card, which is usually the largest card in the suite, and place it face up on the table.
• If you have chosen to include a tissue paper or vellum overlay, place it on top of the invitation card. Traditionally, tissue paper was used to prevent smudging, but this is now more of a stylistic choice.
• Place the reception card, which outlines the time and location of the wedding reception, face-up on top of the invitation (or tissue paper, if included).
• Add any remaining enclosure cards, such as a map, hotel accommodations, or travel information cards, face up on top of the reception card. If there are multiple enclosure cards, start with the largest and work your way down to the smallest.
• Place the reply envelope face down on top of the enclosure cards, with the flap on the left. Insert the reply card, also known as the RSVP card, under the envelope flap, face up, so that the printed side is visible. Don't forget to pre-stamp the reply envelope.
• If using a belly band, ribbon, or vellum wrap, assemble it around the suite now. For ribbon specifically, measure and cut the desired length, place the invitation suite in the middle, and tie it with a bow or knot.
• If using a double envelope system, insert the fully assembled invitation suite into the inner envelope, ensuring the text is print-side up. Then, place the inner envelope into the outer envelope.
• Seal the outer envelope using an envelope moistener, being careful to not use too much liquid.
• Add any return address labels or stamps to the envelope.
• Finally, bring a fully assembled invitation to the post office to have it weighed and purchase the correct amount of postage.

Tying the ribbon

First, cut your ribbon to the appropriate length. For portrait-oriented invitations, cut the ribbon to 22 inches. For landscape-oriented invitations, cut it to 31 inches. This will ensure that you have enough ribbon to work with and that it is proportional to the size of the invitation. Place your cut ribbon piece on the table in front of you, with the matte side facing up. Then, place your invitation suite in the middle of the ribbon.

Next, fold both ends of the ribbon across the front of the invitation suite. Take the left end and tuck it under the right end. Pull both ends tight and use your right middle finger to hold the middle of the twist to prevent the tie from coming loose.

While holding the twist in place, use your left hand to fold the bottom piece of ribbon upward, so it is parallel to the other end. Then, take the left end and fold it over the right end, tucking it through the hole in the middle, similar to tying your shoe. Continue to apply pressure to the twist while pulling the two ends tight.

When you are finished tying the ribbon, place the invitation suite inside the inner envelope. The inner envelope will protect the ribbon and ensure that it stays in place during mailing. Finally, place the inner envelope inside the outer envelope, following the standard mailing procedure.

Your wedding invitations with silk ribbon are now ready to be mailed! This elegant touch will surely impress your guests and set the tone for your special day.

Inserting into envelopes

When it comes to inserting your assembled wedding invitation suite into envelopes, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure they are properly and elegantly presented to your guests. Here is a detailed guide on how to do this:

Firstly, if you are using a double envelope style, which includes an inner and an outer envelope, you will start by inserting the fully assembled invitation suite into the inner envelope. The inner envelope goes inside the outer envelope and serves as an additional layer of protection and elegance. The invitation suite should be placed inside the inner envelope with the left edge first for a single-card invitation or the folded edge first for a folded invitation. Ensure that the text on the invitation is facing up, so when the inner envelope flap is opened, the printed side of the invitation is visible.

Next, insert the inner envelope into the outer envelope. The outer envelope is meant for mailing and should have the guests' names and addresses on the front. When inserting the inner envelope, ensure that the handwritten guests' names on the inner envelope are visible when the outer envelope is opened.

If you are using a single envelope style, you will insert the fully assembled invitation suite directly into the outer envelope. Again, the invitation suite should be placed with the left edge first for a single card invitation or the folded edge first for a folded invitation. The text on the invitation should be facing up, so that when the envelope flap is opened, guests can immediately read the text.

Some other important points to note:

• The inner envelope is usually left unsealed and often does not have adhesive on the flap.
• When sealing the outer envelope, use an envelope moistener or a damp sponge to activate the glue. You can also use saliva, but be careful not to over-wet the adhesive. Press down firmly to seal, or place the envelope under a heavy book if it's not staying closed.
• The invitation suite should be inserted into the envelope with the text facing the envelope flap. This ensures that guests can see the text as soon as they open the envelope.
• If you are using envelope liners, slide them into the envelope before inserting the invitation suite. Peel off the adhesive strip and slide the liner into place, pressing firmly to secure it.

Sealing envelopes

Sealing the envelope is the final step in assembling your wedding invitation. Here are some tips to ensure your invitations are securely sealed and ready to be mailed:

• If you are using an inner envelope, it is typical to leave it unsealed. Inner envelopes often don't have adhesive on the flap, and it is considered proper etiquette to leave them unsealed.
• For the outer envelope, use an envelope moistener to activate the glue on the flap. You can use a damp sponge or even saliva, but be careful not to over-wet the adhesive. Just use enough to make the glue sticky.
• Firmly press down on the flap to seal the envelope. Alternatively, you can place the envelope under a heavy book to ensure it stays closed.
• If the envelope flap doesn't stay closed, try using double-sided tape or a glue stick for extra adhesion.
• Add your wax seal after sealing the envelope if you are including one.
• Finally, don't forget to add postage stamps to the outer envelope and the RSVP card envelope. It is proper etiquette to stamp the RSVP cards, and your guests will appreciate this simple courtesy.

Addressing envelopes

When addressing envelopes for your wedding invitations, it's important to ensure that your guests' names and addresses are clearly written or printed. Here are some detailed steps to help you with this process:

Outer Envelope Addressing:

The outer envelope is the one used for mailing and should include the guests' full names and addresses. Traditionally, this was done using calligraphy, but you can also print the addresses directly on the envelopes for a more modern and efficient approach.

Inner Envelope Addressing (Optional):

• If you choose to use inner and outer envelopes, the inner envelope is left unsealed and typically doesn't have adhesive on the flap. It serves as an additional layer of protection for the invitation suite and is placed inside the outer envelope.
• On the inner envelope, write the names of the invited guests, ensuring that their names are facing the open side of the outer envelope when inserted.

Return Address:

Don't forget to include your return address on the envelopes. You can use address labels, rubber stamps, or even print the return address directly on the envelopes.

Envelope Liners (Optional):

If you've ordered envelope liners, assemble them by peeling off the adhesive strip and sliding the liner into the envelope. Press firmly to secure it in place.

Insertion of Invitation Suite:

Once your envelopes are addressed and assembled, insert the fully assembled invitation suite. The printed side of the invitation should face the envelope flap so that guests can immediately read the text when they open it.

Sealing the Envelope:

• Use an envelope moistener or a damp sponge to activate the glue on the outer envelope flap. Be careful not to use too much moisture to avoid soggy envelopes.
• After sealing all the envelopes, place a heavy book on top to ensure they stay securely closed.

Postage:

• Take one fully assembled invitation, including all enclosures and embellishments, to your local post office to have it weighed. This will help you determine the exact postage required.
• Don't forget to buy stamps for both the main invitation envelopes and the RSVP card envelopes.

Remember to wash and dry your hands before handling the envelopes to avoid any smudges or oil marks. By following these steps, your wedding invitation envelopes will be addressed correctly and ready for mailing!

Frequently asked questions